Episodes: 1-26
Genre: comedy, vampire, supernatural, romantic
Release Date: March 18, 2008

So I’m not an Anime enthusiast; even the occasional Anime series makes me cringe (do they have to squeal and flap their arms all the time?), but if you are making an attempt because, like me, your betrothed is up to his eyeballs in coursework and DVD screeners, or just because you’re curious, then I hope to be some help. And, as you can see, I’d be a hard-sell.

Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi) describes the backstory of each character eloquently and with ease, and it quickly gets right down to it. The melodramatic doom-and-gloom intro of a paranormal German castle haunted by Black Death victims immediately zips into the infectiously catchy cutesy theme song Neko Mimi Mode (Kitty Ear Mode) by House master Dimitri from Paris, which I swear you will never be free of its charms. I rarely skip it, unlike the breathy pop outro that has me scrambling for the remote.

Kouhei Morioka, a 20-something spectral photographer by trade, not by choice, unaffected and oblivious to spirits yet gifted in accidentally capturing them on film, becomes the chief target for capricious youngster Hazuki, the resident Vampiress of the aforementioned castle. Hazuki lures Kouhei in for a “kiss” (bloodletting), hoping to enslave him to do her bidding, emancipating her from the castle and her watchdog warden. Because Kouhei is impervious, she flies into a tantrum, confusing the poor boy. “I can’t help it, I’m a teenager”, is her only excuse. The insolent pair continue this power struggle into the series, both retreating and gaining bit by bit, both refusing to admit defeat, until the line between Master and Servant are blurred. It’s a little odd for someone who longed to be liberated to try so hard to enslave (and be simultaneously bound to) someone else.

The similarities between Hazuki and Kouhei are what makes Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi) intriguing. They both lost their mothers at an early age, imparting empathy and a deep, unspoken connection. Their pride rejects acknowledgement of this connection, but you witness them learn and grow from each other as they realize how much the other affects them. There are glimpses of Kouhei’s own disillusionment with the enigma surrounding his mother’s disappearance in his efforts to shield Hazuki from that same pain. Kouhei immediately takes it upon himself to be Hazuki’s protector, throwing himself in harm’s way, proving himself worthy of a sympathetic big brother award. Whether it be bullies or Hazuki’s blueblood relatives and minions (who wish to imprison her body and soul and return her to the castle, initially including Kouhei’s love interest Elfreide), it’s big bro to the rescue.

Kouhei’s grandfather and cousin, both powerful exorcists, help the demon banishing scenes to be action-packed and rather languidly paced. I can’t stand when it’s all just smoke and mirrors and -poof!- the battle is over, good guys unscathed. In Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi), Gramps gets thrown into walls and his nose trickles blood from the sadistic spiritual melees; no mercy.

With interesting cross sections of houses and cars, we see their lives like an ant farm at times, with plently of pots and pans and logs falling from the ceiling onto their noggins when they have inappropriate or dense thoughts. Speaking of inappropriate, prepare yourself for awkward shots of Hazuki posing provocatively (naively, of course) which come across as comical, yet disturbing. The Box Set comes with booklets filled with interviews with the Japanese voice actors, character and environment sketches, and, thankfully, Hazuki’s more demure wardrobe. Sound effects from Japanese survival horror video games (like broken glass shards) round out the surreal factor, accompanying Kouhei’s naïveté, stopping him dead in his tracks. Yes, sometimes Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi) plays like a slapstick comedy troupe show, cheap at best, all in fun.

Overall, Moon Phase (Tsukuyomi) is your typical “wail and flail” that actually benefits from the squawky Japanese track (you’ll probably never hear me repeat that), where you can feel the frustration and urgency versus flippant defiance. Squeak on.

About the Author

Kris Kobayashi-Nelson says these directors/screenwriters rarely disappoint: Peter Greenaway, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Gus van Sant. Gregg Araki. Kris claims that Jake Gyllenhaal, Cillian Murphy, Desmond Harrington and Casey Affleck are much more than pretty faces.